PSM worried over slow action in temple tussle, raises Seafield spectre

PSM has expressed concern at what it claimed was slow action by the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) involving a tussle between a temple and developer in Ladang Bangi.

"I am worried. Like the Seafield temple incident, a small issue can escalate if what needs to be done is not done," PSM central committee member S Arutchelvan said in a statement today.

He said the issue was the move by a developer to seal off the access road to a Hindu temple in Ladang Bangi on May 8.

"I cannot understand why MPKj, which has the power, does not exercise it to take action against the developer. Why is this issue being dragged on for a week?

"Why cannot MPKj use its enforcers to open the lock when the developer has clearly gone against MPKj's instructions?

"Does this mean the developer has immunity, or the local and state government does not have teeth?" 

Arutchelvan claimed the developer had filled a tunnel needed to access the temple with sand and stone, and subsequently erecting hoardings.

He added that the developer also locked the gates to the access road.

Explaining the background of the issue, Arutchelvan said the developer had given an assurance not to close the access road pending the completion of an alternative road.

He said the temple, which is not in dispute and gazetted by the Selangor government, was constructed on land provided by the developer as compensation to estate workers there.

It was part of a settlement agreement in 2016, which included a promise to provide each family with a low-cost apartment, as well as rental subsidy in the interim.

Arutchelvan said the former estate workers are appreciative of the developer for holding up its end of the bargain, having received the keys to the apartments in February 2019.

However, he expressed concern that the dispute over the temple access road could escalate if not swiftly addressed.

In November last year, an attempt by a developer to evict worshippers at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple using thugs led to two nights of rioting and the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim.